DOH: Blood banks experiencing supply shortage

Blood banks, especially in Metro Manila, were experiencing a shortage of blood, the Department of Health (DOH) said Sunday.

In a “24 Oras Weekend” report by JP Soriano, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said people were afraid of going to hospitals to donate blood due to the threat of the coronavirus disease.

“We have a shortage of blood products, especially within the National Capital Region. About 70 to 80 percent of our need ay talagang ginagawan natin ng paraan sa ngayon,” she said.

The DOH was also asking for blood products from regions where there were few to no cases of COVID-19.

Vergeire assured the public that it was still safe to donate blood despite the pandemic.

“Kung kayo po ay nangangamba na mahahawa kayo, magkakasakit, ang amin pong Philippine Blood Center, meron po kaming ideal wherein we have this set up na talagang ‘yung infection prevention and control ay inayos natin,” she said.

“Kapag may magbibigay ng dugo dito sa facility na ito, makaka-ensure tayo na hindi sila magkakaroon ng sakit,” Vergeire added. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News